Antibodies specific for growth differentiation factor-8 and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-8 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/525,596, filed Oct. 26, 1995, issuing on Oct. 27, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,733; which is a national stage of PCT/US94/03019, filed Mar. 18, 1994 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/033,923, filed Mar. 19, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to growth factors and specifically to a new member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily, which is denoted, growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8).

2. Description of Related Art

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily encompasses a group of structurally-related proteins which affect a wide range of differentiation processes during embryonic development. The family includes, Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS), which is required for normal male sex development (Behringer, et al., Nature 345:167, 1990), Drosophila decapentaplegic (DPP) gene product, which is required for dorsal-ventral axis formation and morphogenesis of the imaginal disks (Padgett, et al., Nature 325:81-84, 1987), the Xenopus Vg-1 gene product, which localizes to the vegetal pole of eggs ((Weeks , et al., Cell, 51861-867, 1987), the activins (Mason, et a., Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun., 135:957-964, 1986), which can induce the formation of mesoderm and anterior structures in Xenopus embryos (Thomsen, et al., Cell, 63:485,1990), and the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs, osteogenin OP-1) which can induce de novo cartilage and bone formation (Sampath, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:13198, 1990). The TGF-βs can influence a variety of differentiation processes, including adipogenesis, myogenesis, chondrogenesis, hematopoiesis, and epithelial cell differentiation (for review, see Massague, Cell 49:437, 1987).

The proteins of the TGF-β family are initially synthesized as a large precursor protein which subsequently undergoes proteolytic cleavage at a cluster of basic residues approximately 110-140 amino acids from the C-terminus. The C-terminal regions, or mature regions, of the proteins are all structurally related and the different family members can be classified into distinct subgroups based on the extent of their homology. Although the homologies within particular subgroups range from 70% to 90% amino acid sequence identity, the homologies between subgroups are significantly lower, generally ranging from only 20% to 50%. In each case, the active species appears to be a disulfide-linked dimer of C-terminal fragments. Studies have shown that when the pro-region of a member of the TGF-β family is coexpressed with a mature region of another member of the TGF-β family, intracellular dimerization and secretion of biologically active homodimers occur (Gray, A., and Maston, A., Science, 247:1328, 1990). Additional studies by Hammonds, et al., (Molec. Endocrin. 5:149, 1991) showed that the use of the BMP-2 pro-region combined with the BMP-4 mature region led to dramatically improved expression of mature BMP-4. For most of the family members that have been studied, the homodimeric species has been found to be biologically active, but for other family members, like the inhibins (Ling, et al., Nature, 321:779, 1986) and the TGF-βs (Cheifetz, et al., Cell, 48:409, 1987), heterodimers have also been detected, and these appear to have different biological properties than the respective homodimers.

Identification of new factors that are tissue-specific in their expression pattern will provide a greater understanding of that tissue's development and function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cell growth and differentiation factor, GDF-8, a polynucleotide sequence which encodes the factor, and antibodies which are immunoreactive with the factor. This factor appears to relate to various cell proliferative disorders, especially those involving those involving muscle, nerve, and adipose tissue.

Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting a cell proliferative disorder of muscle, nerve, or fat origin and which is associated with GDF-8. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating a cell proliferative disorder by suppressing or enhancing GDF-8 activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a Northern blot showing expression of GDF-8 mRNA in adult tissues. The probe was a partial murine GDF-8 clone.

FIGS. 2a-b shows nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of murine GDF-8 (FIG. 2a; SEQ ID NO: 12) and human GDF-8 (FIG. 2b; SEQ ID NO 14). The putative dibasic processing sites in the murine sequence are boxed.

FIG. 3 shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-8 (see, for example, amino acids 265 to 376 of SEQ ID NO: 12) with other members of the TGF-β superfamily (SEQ ID NOS: 18 to 31). The conserved cysteine residues are boxed. Dashes denote gaps introduced in order to maximize alignment.

FIG. 4 shows amino acid homologies among different members of the TGF-β superfamily. Numbers represent percent amino acid identities between each pair calculated from the first conserved cysteine to the C-terminus. Boxes represent homologies among highly-related members within particular subgroups.

FIGS. 5a-d shows nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of GDF-8. A murine GDF-8 nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 11) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 12; FIG. 5a and 5b) and a human GDF-8 nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 13) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 14; FIGS. 5c and 5d) are shown. Numbers indicate nucleotide position relative to the 5' end. Consensus N-linked glycosylation signals are shaded. The putative RXXR (SEQ ID NO: 32) proteolytic cleavage sites are boxed.

FIGS. 6a-b shows a hydropathicity profile of GDF-8. Average hydrophobicity values for murine (FIG. 6a) and human (FIG. 6b) GDF-8 were calculated using the method of Kyte and Doolittle (J. Mol. Biol., 157:105-132. 1982). Positive numbers indicate increasing hydrophobicity.

FIG. 7 shows a comparison of murine and human GDF-8 amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOS. 12 and 14, respectively). The predicted murine sequence is shown in the top lines and the predicted human sequence is shown in the bottom lines. Numbers indicate amino acid position relative to the N-terminus. Identities between the two sequences are denoted by a vertical line.

FIG. 8 shows the expression of GDF-8 in bacteria. BL21 (DE3) (pLysS) cells carrying a pRSET/GDF-8 expression plasmid were induced with isopropylthio-β-galactoside, and the GDF-8 fusion protein was purified by metal chelate chromatography. Lanes: total=total cell lysate; soluble=soluble protein fraction; insoluble=insoluble protein fraction (resuspended in 10 mM Tris pH 8.0. 50 mM sodium phosphate, 8 M urea, and 10 mM β-mercaptoethanol [buffer B]) loaded onto the column; pellet=insoluble protein fraction discarded before loading the column; flowthrough=proteins not bound by the column; washes=washes carried out in buffer B at the indicated pH's. Positions of molecular weight standards are shown at the right. Arrow indicates the position of the GDF-8 fusion protein.

FIG. 9 shows the expression of GDF-8 in mammalian cells. Chinese hamster ovary cells were transfected with pMSXND/GDF-8 expression plasmids and selected in G418. Conditioned media from G418-resistant cells (prepared from cells transfected with constructs in which GDF-8 was cloned in either the antisense or sense orientation) were concentrated, electrophoresed under reducing conditions, blotted, and probed with anti-GDF-8 antibodies and [¹²⁵ I]iodoproteinA. Arrow indicates the position of the processed GDF-8 protein.

FIGS. 10a-b shows the expression of GDF-8 mRNA. Poly A-selected RNA (5 μg each) prepared from adult tissues (FIG. 10a) or placentas and embryos (FIG. 10b) at the indicated days of gestation was electrophoresed on formaldehyde gels, blotted, and probed with full length murine GDF-8.

FIG. 11 shows chromosomal mapping of human GDF-8. DNA samples prepared from human/rodent somatic cell hybrid lines were subjected to PCR, electrophoresed on agarose gels, blotted, and probed. The human chromosome contained in each of the hybrid cell lines is identified at the top of each of the first 24 lanes (1-22, X, and Y). In the lanes designated M, CHO, and H, the starting DNA template was total genomic DNA from mouse, hamster, and human sources, respectively. In the lane marked B1, no template DNA was used. Numbers at left indicate the mobilities of DNA standards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a growth and differentiation factor, GDF-8 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding GDF-8. GDF-8 is expressed at highest levels in muscle and at lower levels in adipose tissue. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for detection of a cell proliferative disorder of muscle, nerve, or fat origin which is associated with GDF-8 expression. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating a cell proliferative disorder by using an agent which suppresses or enhances GDF-8 activity.

The TGF-β superfamily consists of multifunctional polypeptides that control proliferation, differentiation, and other functions in many cell types. Many of the peptides have regulatory, both positive and negative, effects on other peptide growth factors. The structural homology between the GDF-8 protein of this invention and the members of the TGF-β family, indicates that GDF-8 is a new member of the family of growth and differentiation factors. Based on the known activities of many of the other members, it can be expected that GDF-8 will also possess biological activities that will make it useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic reagent.

In particular, certain members of this superfamily have expression patterns or possess activities that relate to the function of the nervous system. For example, the inhibins and activins have been shown to be expressed in the brain (Meunier, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 85:247, 1988; Sawchenko, et al., Nature, 334:615, 1988), and activin has been shown to be capable of functioning as a nerve cell survival molecule (Schubert, et al., Nature, 344:868, 1990). Another family member, namely, GDF-1, is nervous system-specific in its expression pattern (Lee, S. J., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 88:4250, 1991), and certain other family members, such as Vgr-1 (Lyons, et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci., USA, 86:4554, 1989; Jones, et al., Development, 111:531, 1991), OP-1 (Ozkaynak, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267:25220, 1992), and BMP-4 (Jones, et al., Development, 111:531, 1991), are also known to be expressed in the nervous system. Because it is known that skeletal muscle produces a factor or factors that promote the survival of motor neurons (Brown, Trends Neurosci., 7:10, 1984), the expression of GDF-8 in muscle suggests that one activity of GDF-8 may be as a trophic factor for neurons. In this regard, GDF-8 may have applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or in maintaining cells or tissues in culture prior to transplantation.

GDF-8 may also have applications in treating disease processes involving muscle, such as in musculodegenerative diseases or in tissue repair due to trauma. In this regard, many other members of the TGF-β family are also important mediators of tissue repair. TGFβ has been shown to have marked effects on the formation of collagen and to cause a striking angiogenic response in the newborn mouse (Roberts, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:4167, 1986). TGF-β has also been shown to inhibit the differentiation of myoblasts in culture (Massague, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 83:8206, 1986). Moreover, because myoblast cells may be used as a vehicle for delivering genes to muscle for gene therapy, the properties of GDF-8 could be exploited for maintaining cells prior to transplantation or for enhancing the efficiency of the fusion process.

The expression of GDF-8 in adipose tissue also raises the possibility of applications for GDF-8 in the treatment of obesity or of disorders related to abnormal proliferation of adipocytes. In this regard, TGF-β has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation in vitro (Ignotz and Massague, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 82:8530, 1985).

The term "substantially pure" as used herein refers to GDF-8 which is substantially free of other proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or other materials with which it is naturally associated. One skilled in the art can purify GDF-8 using standard techniques for protein purification. The substantially pure polypeptide will yield a single major band on a non-reducing polyacylamide gel. The purity of the GDF-8 polypeptide can also be determined by amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. GDF-8 polypeptide includes functional fragments of the polypeptide, as long as the activity of GDF-8 remains. Smaller peptides containing the biological activity of GDF-8 are included in the invention.

The invention provides polynucleotides encoding the GDF-8 protein. These polynucleotides include DNA, cDNA and RNA sequences which encode GDF-8. It is understood that all polynucleotides encoding all or a portion of GDF-8 are also included herein, as long as they encode a polypeptide with GDF-8 activity. Such polynucleotides include naturally occurring, synthetic, and intentionally manipulated polynucleotides. For example, GDF-8 polynucleotide may be subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. The polynucleotide sequence for GDF-8 also includes antisense sequences. The polynucleotides of the invention include sequences that are degenerate as a result of the genetic code. There are 20 natural amino acids, most of which are specified by more than one codon. Therefore, all degenerate nucleotide sequences are included in the invention as long as the amino acid sequence of GDF-8 polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence is functionally unchanged.

Specifically disclosed herein is a genomic DNA sequence containing a portion of the GDF-8 gene. The sequence contains an open reading frame corresponding to the predicted C-terminal region of the GDF-8 precursor protein. The encoded polypeptide is predicted to contain two potential proteolytic processing sites (KR and RR). Cleavage of the precursor at the downstream site would generate a mature biologically active C-terminal fragment of 109 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 12,400. Also, disclosed are full length murine (SEQ ID NO: 11) and human (SEQ ID NO: 13) GDF-8 cDNA sequences. The murine pre-pro-GDF-8 protein (SEQ ID NO: 12) is 376 amino acids in length, which is encoded by a 2676 base pair nucleotide sequence, beginning at nucleotide 104 and extending to a TGA stop codon at nucleotide 1232. The human GDF-8 protein (SEQ ID NO: 14) is 375 amino acids and is encoded by a 2743 base pair sequence, with the open reading frame beginning at nucleotide 59 and extending to nucleotide 1184.

The C-terminal region of GDF-8 following the putative proteolytic processing site shows significant homology to the known members of the TGF-β superfamily. The GDF-8 sequence contains most of the residues that are highly conserved in other family members (see FIG. 3). Like the TGF-βs and inhibin βs, GDF-8 contains an extra pair of cysteine residues in addition to the 7 cysteines found in virtually all other family members. Among the known family members, GDF-8 is most homologous to Vgr-1 (45% sequence identity) (see FIG. 4).

Minor modifications of the recombinant GDF-8 primary amino acid sequence may result in proteins which have substantially equivalent activity as compared to the GDF-8 polypeptide described herein. Such modifications may be deliberate, as by site-directed mutagenesis, or may be spontaneous. All of the polypeptides produced by these modifications are included herein as long as the biological activity of GDF-8 still exists. Further, deletion of one or more amino acids can also result in a modification of the structure of the resultant molecule without significantly altering its biological activity. This can lead to the development of a smaller active molecule which would have broader utility. For example, one can remove amino or carboxy terminal amino acids which are not required for GDF-8 biological activity.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the GDF-8 polypeptide of the invention includes the disclosed sequence and conservative variations thereof. The term "conservative variation" as used herein denotes the replacement of an amino acid residue by another, biologically similar residue. Examples of conservative variations include the substitution of one hydrophobic residue such as isoleucine, valine, leucine or methionine for another, or the substitution of one polar residue for another, such as the substitution of arginine for lysine, glutamic for aspartic acid, or glutamine for asparagine, and the like. The term "conservative variation" also includes the use of a substituted amino acid in place of an unsubstituted parent amino acid provided that antibodies raised to the substituted polypeptide also immunoreact with the unsubstituted polypeptide.

DNA sequences of the invention can be obtained by several methods. For example, the DNA can be isolated using hybridization techniques which are well known in the art. These include, but are not limited to: 1) hybridization of genomic or cDNA libraries with probes to detect homologous nucleotide sequences, 2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on genomic DNA or cDNA using primers capable of annealing to the DNA sequence of interest, and 3) antibody screening of expression libraries to detect cloned DNA fragments with shared structural features.

Preferably the GDF-8 polynucleotide of the invention is derived from a mammalian organism, and most preferably from a mouse, rat, or human. Screening procedures which rely on nucleic acid hybridization make it possible to isolate any gene sequence from any organism, provided the appropriate probe is available. Oligonucleotide probes, which correspond to a part of the sequence encoding the protein in question, can be synthesized chemically. This requires that short, oligopeptide stretches of amino acid sequence must be known. The DNA sequence encoding the protein can be deduced from the genetic code, however, the degeneracy of the code must be taken into account. It is possible to perform a mixed addition reaction when the sequence is degenerate. This includes a heterogeneous mixture of denatured double-stranded DNA. For such screening, hybridization is preferably performed on either single-stranded DNA or denatured double-stranded DNA. Hybridization is particularly useful in the detection of cDNA clones derived from sources where an extremely low amount of mRNA sequences relating to the polypeptide of interest are present. In other words, by using stringent hybridization conditions directed to avoid non-specific binding, it is possible, for example, to allow the autoradiographic visualization of a specific cDNA clone by the hybridization of the target DNA to that single probe in the mixture which is its complete complement (Wallace, et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 9:879, 1981).

The development of specific DNA sequences encoding GDF-8 can also be obtained by: 1) isolation of double-stranded DNA sequences from the genomic DNA; 2) chemical manufacture of a DNA sequence to provide the necessary codons for the polypeptide of interest; and 3) in vitro synthesis of a double-stranded DNA sequence by reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from a eukaryotic donor cell. In the latter case, a double-stranded DNA complement of mRNA is eventually formed which is generally referred to as cDNA.

Of the three above-noted methods for developing specific DNA sequences for use in recombinant procedures, the isolation of genomic DNA isolates is the least common. This is especially true when it is desirable to obtain the microbial expression of mammalian polypeptides due to the presence of introns.

The synthesis of DNA sequences is frequently the method of choice when the entire sequence of amino acid residues of the desired polypeptide product is known. When the entire sequence of amino acid residues of the desired polypeptide is not known, the direct synthesis of DNA sequences is not possible and the method of choice is the synthesis of cDNA sequences. Among the standard procedures for isolating cDNA sequences of interest is the formation of plasmid- or phage-carrying cDNA libraries which are derived from reverse transcription of mRNA which is abundant in donor cells that have a high level of genetic expression. When used in combination with polymerase chain reaction technology, even rare expression products can be cloned. In those cases where significant portions of the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide are known, the production of labeled single or double-stranded DNA or RNA probe sequences duplicating a sequence putatively present in the target cDNA may be employed in DNA/DNA hybridization procedures which are carried out on cloned copies of the cDNA which have been denatured into a single-stranded form (Jay, et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 11:2325, 1983).

A cDNA expression library, such as lambda gt11, can be screened indirectly for GDF-8 peptides having at least one epitope, using antibodies specific for GDF-8. Such antibodies can be either polyclonally or monoclonally derived and used to detect expression product indicative of the presence of GDF-8 cDNA.

DNA sequences encoding GDF-8 can be expressed in vitro by DNA transfer into a suitable host cell. "Host cells" are cells in which a vector can be propagated and its DNA expressed. The term also includes any progeny of the subject host cell. It is understood that all progeny may not be identical to the parental cell since there may be mutations that occur during replication. However, such progeny are included when the term "host cell" is used. Methods of stable transfer, meaning that the foreign DNA is continuously maintained in the host, are known in the art.

In the present invention, the GDF-8 polynucleotide sequences may be inserted into a recombinant expression vector. The term "recombinant expression vector" refers to a plasmid, virus or other vehicle known in the art that has been manipulated by insertion or incorporation of the GDF-8 genetic sequences. Such expression vectors contain a promoter sequence which facilitates the efficient transcription of the inserted genetic sequence of the host. The expression vector typically contains an origin of replication, a promoter, as well as specific genes which allow phenotypic selection of the transformed cells. Vectors suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to the T7-based expression vector for expression in bacteria (Rosenberg, et al., Gene, 56:125, 1987), the pMSXND expression vector for expression in mammalian cells (Lee and Nathans, J. Biol. Chem., 263:3521, 1988) and baculovirus-derived vectors for expression in insect cells. The DNA segment can be present in the vector operably linked to regulatory elements, for example, a promoter (e.g., T7, metallothionein I, or polyhedrin promoters).

Polynucleotide sequences encoding GDF-8 can be expressed in either prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Hosts can include microbial, yeast, insect and mammalian organisms. Methods of expressing DNA sequences having eukaryotic or viral sequences in prokaryotes are well known in the art. Biologically functional viral and plasmid DNA vectors capable of expression and replication in a host are known in the art. Such vectors are used to incorporate DNA sequences of the invention. Preferably, the mature C-terminal region of GDF-8 is expressed from a cDNA clone containing the entire coding sequence of GDF-8. Alternatively, the C-terminal portion of GDF-8 can be expressed as a fusion protein with the pro- region of another member of the TGF-β family or co-expressed with another pro- region (see for example, Hammonds, et al., Molec. Endocrin. 5:149, 1991; Gray, A., and Mason, A., Science, 247:1328, 1990).

Transformation of a host cell with recombinant DNA may be carried out by conventional techniques as are well known to those skilled in the art. Where the host is prokaryotic, such as E. coli, competent cells which are capable of DNA uptake can be prepared from cells harvested after exponential growth phase and subsequently treated by the CaCl₂ method using procedures well known in the art. Alternatively, MgCl₂ or RbCl can be used. Transformation can also be performed after forming a protoplast of the host cell if desired.

When the host is a eukaryote, such methods of transfection of DNA as calcium phosphate co-precipitates, conventional mechanical procedures such as microinjection, electroporation, insertion of a plasmid encased in liposomes, or virus vectors may be used. Eukaryotic cells can also be cotransformed with DNA sequences encoding the GDF-8 of the invention, and a second foreign DNA molecule encoding a selectable phenotype, such as the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene. Another method is to use a eukaryotic viral vector, such as simian virus 40 (SV40) or bovine papilloma virus, to transiently infect or transform eukaryotic cells and express the protein. (see for example, Eukaryotic Viral Vectors, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Gluzman ed., 1982).

Isolation and purification of microbial expressed polypeptide, or fragments thereof, provided by the invention, may be carried out by conventional means including preparative chromatography and immunological separations involving monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies.

The invention includes antibodies immunoreactive with GDF-8 polypeptide or functional fragments thereof. Antibody which consists essentially of pooled monoclonal antibodies with differer . . . epitopic specificities, as well as distinct monoclonal antibody preparations are provided. Monoclonal antibodies are made from antigen containing fragments of the protein by methods well known to those skilled in the art (Kohler, et al., Nature, 256:495, 1975). The term antibody as used in this invention is meant to include intact molecules as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab and F(ab')₂, which are capable of binding an epitopic determinant on GDF-8.

The term "cell-proliferative disorder" denotes malignant as well as non-malignant cell populations which often appear to differ from the surrounding tissue both morphologically and genotypically. Malignant cells (i.e. cancer) develop as a result of a multistep process. The GDF-8 polynucleotide that is an antisense molecule is useful in treating malignancies of the various organ systems, particularly, for example, cells in muscle or adipose tissue. Essentially, any disorder which is etiologically linked to altered expression of GDF-8 could be considered susceptible to treatment with a GDF-8 suppressing reagent. One such disorder is a malignant cell proliferative disorder, for example.

The invention provides a method for detecting a cell proliferative disorder of muscle or adipose tissue which comprises contacting an anti-GDF-8 antibody with a cell suspected of having a GDF-8 associated disorder and detecting binding to the antibody. The antibody reactive with GDF-8 is labeled with a compound which allows detection of binding to GDF-8. For purposes of the invention, an antibody specific for GDF-8 polypeptide may be used to detect the level of GDF-8 in biological fluids and tissues. Any specimen containing a detectable amount of antigen can be used. A preferred sample of this invention is muscle tissue. The level of GDF-8 in the suspect cell can be compared with the level in a normal cell to determine whether the subject has a GDF-8-associated cell proliferative disorder. Preferably the subject is human.

The antibodies of the invention can be used in any subject in which it is desirable to administer in vitro or in viva immunodiagnosis or immunotherapy. The antibodies of the invention are suited for use, for example, in immunoassays in which they can be utilized in liquid phase or bound to a solid phase carrier. In addition, the antibodies in these immunoassays can be detectably labeled in various ways. Examples of types of immunoassays which can utilize antibodies of the invention are competitive and non-competitive immunoassays in either a direct or indirect format. Examples of such immunoassays are the radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the sandwich (immunometric) assay. Detection of the antigens using the antibodies of the invention can be done utilizing immunoassays which are run in either the forward, reverse, or simultaneous modes, including immunohistochemical assays on physiological samples. Those of skill in the art will know, or can readily discern, other immunoassay formats without undue experimentation.

The antibodies of the invention can be bound to many different carriers and used to detect the presence of an antigen comprising the polypeptide of the invention. Examples of well-known carriers include glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylases, natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, agaroses and magnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble or insoluble for purposes of the invention. Those skilled in the art will know of other suitable carriers for binding antibodies, or will be able to ascertain such, using routine experimentation.

There are many different labels and methods of labeling known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of the types of labels which can be used in the present invention include enzymes, radioisotopes, fluorescent compounds, colloidal metals, chemiluminescent compounds, phosphorescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of other suitable labels for binding to the antibody, or will be able to ascertain such, using routine experimentation.

Another technique which may also result in greater sensitivity consists of coupling the antibodies to low molecular weight haptens. These haptens can then be specifically detected by means of a second reaction. For example, it is common to use such haptens as biotin, which reacts with avidin, or dinitrophenyl, puridoxal, and fluorescein, which can react with specific anti-hapten antibodies.

In using the monoclonal antibodies of the invention for the in vivo detection of antigen, the detectably labeled antibody is given a dose which is diagnostically effective. The term "diagnostically effective" means that the amount of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody is administered in sufficient quantity to enable detection of the site having the antigen comprising a polypeptide of the invention for which the monoclonal antibodies are specific.

The concentration of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody which is administered should be sufficient such that the binding to those cells having the polypeptide is detectable compared to the background. Further, it is desirable that the detectably labeled monoclonal antibody be rapidly cleared from the circulatory system in order to give the best target-to-background signal ratio.

As a rule, the dosage of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody for in vivo diagnosis will vary depending on such factors as age, sex, and extent of disease of the individual. Such dosages may vary, for example, depending on whether multiple injections are given, antigenic burden, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

For in vivo diagnostic imaging, the type of detection instrument available is a major factor in selecting a given radioisotope. The radioisotope chosen must have a type of decay which is detectable for a given type of instrument. Still another important factor in selecting a radioisotope for in viva diagnosis is that deleterious radiation with respect to the host is minimized. Ideally, a radioisotope used for in viva imaging will lack a particle emission, but produce a large number of photons in the 140-250 keV range, which may readily be detected by conventional gamma cameras.

For in vivo diagnosis radioisotopes may be bound to immunoglobulin either directly or indirectly by using an intermediate functional group. Intermediate functional groups which often are used to bind radioisotopes which exist as metallic ions to immunoglobulins are the bifunctional chelating agents such as diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and similar molecules. Typical examples of metallic ions which can be bound to the monoclonal antibodies of the invention are ¹¹¹ In,⁹⁷ Ru,⁶⁷ Ga,⁶⁸ Ga, ⁷² As,⁸⁹ Zr,and ²⁰¹ TI.

The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can also be labeled with a paramagnetic isotope for purposes of in viva diagnosis, as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or electron spin resonance (ESR). In general, any conventional method for visualizing diagnostic imaging can be utilized. Usually gamma and positron emitting radioisotopes are used for camera imaging and paramagnetic isotopes for MRI. Elements which are particularly useful in such techniques include ¹⁵⁷ Gd,⁵⁵ Mn,¹⁶² Dy,⁵² Cr,and ⁵⁶ Fe.

The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be used in vitro and in vivo to monitor the course of amelioration of a GDF-8-associated disease in a subject Thus, for example, by measuring the increase or decrease in the number of cells expressing antigen comprising a polypeptide of the invention or changes in the concentration of such antigen present in various body fluids, it would be possible to determine whether a particular therapeutic regimen aimed at ameliorating the GDF-8-associated disease is effective. The term "ameliorate" denotes a lessening of the detrimental effect of the GDF-8-associated disease in the subject receiving therapy.

The present invention identifies a nucleotide sequence that can be expressed in an altered manner as compared to expression in a normal cell, therefore it is possible to design appropriate therapeutic or diagnostic techniques directed to this sequence. Thus, where a cell-proliferative disorder is associated with the expression of GDF-8, nucleic acid sequences that interfere with GDF-8 expression at the translational level can be used. This approach utilizes, for example, antisense nucleic acid and ribozymes to block translation of a specific GDF-8 mRNA, either by masking that mRNA with an antisense nucleic acid or by cleaving it with a ribozyme. Such disorders include neurodegenerative diseases, for example.

Antisense nucleic acids are DNA or RNA molecules that are complementary to at least a portion of a specific mRNA molecule (Weintraub, Scientific American, 262:40, 1990). In the cell, the antisense nucleic acids hybridize to the corresponding mRNA, forming a double-stranded molecule. The antisense nucleic acids interfere with the translation of the mRNA, since the cell will not translate a mRNA that is double-stranded. Antisense oligomers of about 15 nucleotides are preferred, since they are easily synthesized and are less likely to cause problems than larger molecules when introduced into the target GDF-8-producing cell. The use of antisense methods to inhibit the in vitro translation of genes is well known in the art (Marcus-Sakura, Anal.Biochem., 172:289, 1988).

Ribozymes are RNA molecules possessing the ability to specifically cleave other single-stranded RNA in a manner analogous to DNA restriction endonucleases. Through the modification of nucleotide sequences which encode these RNAs, it is possible to engineer molecules that recognize specific nucleotide sequences in an RNA molecule and cleave it (Cech, J.Amer.Med. Assn., 260:3030, 1988). A major advantage of this approach is that, because they are sequence-specific, only mRNAs with particular sequences are inactivated.

There are two basic types of ribozymes namely, tetrahymena-type (Hasselhoff, Nature, 334:585, 1988) and "hammerhead"-type. Tetrahymena-type ribozymes recognize sequences which are four bases in length, while "hammerhead"-type ribozymes recognize base sequences 11-18 bases in length. The longer the recognition sequence, the greater the likelihood that the sequence will occur exclusively in the target mRNA species. Consequently, hammerhead-type ribozymes are preferable to tetrahymena-type ribozymes for inactivating a specific mRNA species and 18-based recognition sequences are preferable to shorter recognition sequences.

The present invention also provides gene therapy for the treatment of cell proliferative or immunologic disorders which are mediated by GDF-8 protein. Such therapy would achieve its therapeutic effect by introduction of the GDF-8 antisense polynucleotide into cells having the proliferative disorder. Delivery of antisense GDF-8 polynucleotide can be achieved using a recombinant expression vector such as a chimeric virus or a colloidal dispersion system. Especially preferred for therapeutic delivery of antisense sequences is the use of targeted liposomes.

Various viral vectors which can be utilized for gene therapy as taught herein include adenovirus, herpes virus, vaccinia, or, preferably, an RNA virus such as a retrovirus. Preferably, the retroviral vector is a derivative of a murine or avian retrovirus. Examples of retroviral vectors in which a single foreign gene can be inserted include, but are not limited to: Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (HaMuSV), murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), and Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV). A number of additional retroviral vectors can incorporate multiple genes. All of these vectors can transfer or incorporate a gene for a selectable marker so that transduced cells can be identified and generated. By inserting a GDF-8 sequence of interest into the viral vector, along with another gene which encodes the ligand for a receptor on a specific target cell, for example, the vector is now target specific. Retroviral vectors can be made target specific by attaching, for example, a sugar, a glycolipid, or a protein. Preferred targeting is accomplished by using an antibody to target the retroviral vector. Those of skill in the art will know of, or can readily ascertain without undue experimentation, specific polynucleotide sequences which can be inserted into the retroviral genome or attached to a viral envelope to allow target specific delivery of the retroviral vector containing the GDF-8 antisense polynucleotide.

Since recombinant retroviruses are defective, they require assistance in order to produce infectious vector particles. This assistance can be provided, for example, by using helper cell lines that contain plasmids encoding all of the structural genes of the retrovirus under the control of regulatory sequences within the LTR. These plasmids are missing a nucleotide sequence which enables the packaging mechanism to recognize an RNA transcript for encapsidation. Helper cell lines which have deletions of the packaging signal include, but are not limited to Ψ2, PA317 and PA12, for example. These cell lines produce empty virions, since no genome is packaged. If a retroviral vector is introduced into such cells in which the packaging signal is intact, but the structural genes are replaced by other genes of interest, the vector can be packaged and vector virion produced.

Alternatively, NIH 3T3 or other tissue culture cells can be directly transfected with plasmids encoding the retroviral structural genes gag, pol and env, by conventional calcium phosphate transfection. These cells are then transfected with the vector plasmid containing the genes of interest. The resulting cells release the retroviral vector into the culture medium.

Another targeted delivery system for GDF-8 antisense polynucleotides is a colloidal dispersion system. Colloidal dispersion systems include macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, and liposomes. The preferred colloidal system of this invention is a liposome. Liposomes are artificial membrane vesicles which are useful as delivery vehicles in vitro and in vivo. It has been shown that large unilamellar vesicles (LUV), which range in size from 0.2-4.0 μm can encapsulate a substantial percentage of an aqueous buffer containing large macromolecules. RNA, DNA and intact virions can be encapsulated within the aqueous interior and be delivered to cells in a biologically active form (Fraley, et al., Trends Biochem. Sci., 6:.77, 1981). In addition to mammalian cells, liposomes have been used for delivery of polynucleotides in plant, yeast and bacterial cells. In order for a liposome to be an efficient gene transfer vehicle, the following characteristics should be present: (1) encapsulation of the genes of interest at high efficiency while not compromising their biological activity; (2) preferential and substantial binding to a target cell in comparison to non-target cells; (3) delivery of the aqueous contents of the vesicle to the target cell cytoplasm at high efficiency; and (1) accurate and effective expression of genetic information (Mannino, et al., Biotechniques, 6:682, 1988).

The composition of the liposome is usually a combination of phospholipids, particularly high-phase-transition-temperature phospholipids, usually in combination with steroids, especially cholesterol. Other phospholipids or other lipids may also be used. The physical characteristics of liposomes depend on pH, ionic strength, and the presence of divalent cations.

Examples of lipids useful in liposome production include phosphatidyl compounds, such as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipids, cerebrosides, and gangliosides. Particularly useful are diacylphosphatidylglycerois, where the lipid moiety contains from 14-18 carbon atoms, particularly from 16-18 carbon atoms, and is saturated. Illustrative phospholipids include egg phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and distearoylphosphatidylcholine.

The targeting of liposomes can be classified based on anatomical and mechanistic factors. Anatomical classification is based on the level of selectivity, for example, organ-specific, cell-specific, and organelle-specific. Mechanistic targeting can be distinguished based upon whether it is passive or active. Passive targeting utilizes the natural tendency of liposomes to distribute to cells of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) in organs which contain sinusoidal capillaries. Active targeting, on the other hand, involves alteration of the liposome by coupling the liposome to a specific ligand such as a monoclonal antibody, sugar, glycolipid, or protein, or by changing the composition or size of the liposome in order to achieve targeting to organs and cell types other than the naturally occurring sites of localization.

The surface of the targeted delivery system may be modified in a variety of ways. In the case of a liposomal targeted delivery system, lipid groups can be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of the liposome in order to maintain the targeting ligand in stable association with the liposomal bilayer. Various linking groups can be used for joining the lipid chains to the targeting ligand.

Due to the expression of GDF-8 in muscle and adipose tissue, there are a variety of applications using the polypeptide, polynucleotide, and antibodies of the invention, related to these tissues. Such applications include treatment of cell proliferative disorders involving these and other tissues, such as neural tissue. In addition, GDF-8 may be useful in various gene therapy procedures.

The data in Example 6 shows that the human GDF-8 gene is located on chromosome 2. By comparing the chromosomal location of GDF-8 with the map positions of various human disorders, it should be possible to determine whether mutations in the GDF-8 gene are involved in the etiology of human diseases. For example, an autosomal recessive form of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been shown to map to chromosome 2 (Hentati, et al., Neurology, 42 [Suppl.3]:201, 1992). More precise mapping of GDF-8 and analysis of DNA from these patients may indicate that GDF-8 is, in fact, the gene affected in this disease. In addition, GDF-8 is useful for distinguishing chromosome 2 from other chromosomes.

The following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention. While they are typical of those that might be used, other procedures known to those skilled in the art may alternatively be used.

EXAMPLE 1 Identification and Isolation of a Novel TGF-β Family Member

To identify a new member of the TGF-β superfamily, degenerate oligonucleotides were designed which corresponded to two conserved regions among the known family members: one region spanning the two tryptophan residues conserved in all family members except MIS and the other region spanning the invariant cysteine residues near the C-terminus. These primers were used for polymerase chain reactions on mouse genomic DNA followed by subcloning the PCR products using restriction sites placed at the 5' ends of the primers, picking individual E. coli colonies carrying these subcloned inserts, and using a combination of random sequencing and hybridization analysis to eliminate known members of the superfamily.

GDF-8 was identified from a mixture of PCR products obtained with the primers

SJL141: 5'-CCGGAATTCGGITGG(G/C/A)A(G/A/T/C)(A/G)A(T/C)TGG(A/G)TI (A/G)TI(T/G)CICC-3' (SEQ ID NO:1)

SJL147: 5'-CCGGAATTC(G/A)CAI(G/C)C(G/A)CA(G/A)CT(G/A/T/C) TCIACI(G/A)(T/C)CAT-3' (SEQ ID NO:2)

PCR using these primers was carried out with 2 μg mouse genomic DNA at 94° C. for 1 min, 50° C. for 2 min, and 72° C. for 2 min for 40 cycles.

PCR products of approximately 280 bp were gel-purified, digested with Eco RI, gel-purified again, and subcloned in the Bluescript vector (Stratagene, San Diego, Calif.). Bacterial colonies carrying individual subclones were picked into 96 well microtiter plates, and multiple replicas were prepared by plating the cells onto nitrocellulose. The replicate filters were hybridized to probes representing known members of the family, and DNA was prepared from non-hybridizing colonies for sequence analysis.

The primer combination of SJL141 and SJL147, encoding the amino acid sequences GW(H/Q/N/K/D/E)(D/N)W(V/I/M)(V/I/M)(A/S)P (SEQ ID NO:9) and M(V/I/M/T/A)V(D/E)SC(G/A)C (SEQ ID NO:10), respectively, yielded four previously identified sequences (BMP-4, inhibin βB, GDF-3 and GDF-5) and one novel sequence, which was designated GDF-8, among 110 subclones analyzed.

Human GDF-8 was isolated using the primers:

ACM13: 5'-CGCGGATCCAGAAGTCAAGGTGACAGACACAC-3' (SEQ ID NO:3);

and

ACM14: 5'-CGCGGATCCTCCTCATGAGCACCCACAGCGGTC-3' (SEQ ID NO:4)

PCR using these primers was carried out with one μg human genomic DNA at 94° C. for 1 min, 58° C. for 2 min, and 72° C. for 2 min for 30 cycles. The PCR product was digested with Bam HI, gel-purified, and subcloned in the Bluescript vector (Stratagene, San Francisco, Calif.).

EXAMPLE 2 Expression Pattern and Sequence of GDF-8

To determine the expression pattern of GDF-8, RNA samples prepared from a variety of adult tissues were screened by Northern analysis. RNA isolation and Northern analysis were carried out as described previously (Lee, S. -J., Mol. Endocrinol., 4:1034, 1990) except that hybridization was carried out in 5× SSPE, 10% dextran sulfate, 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 200 μg/ml salmon DNA, and 0.1% each of bovine serum albumin, ficoll, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Five micrograms of twice poly A-selected RNA prepared from each tissue (except for muscle, for which only 2 μg RNA was used) were electrophoresed on formaldehyde gels, blotted, and probed with GDF-8. As shown in FIG. 1, the GDF-8 probe detected a single mRNA species expressed at highest levels in muscle and at significantly lower levels in adipose tissue.

To obtain a larger segment of the GDF-8 gene, a mouse genomic library was screened with a probe derived from the GDF-8 PCR product. The partial sequence of a GDF-8 genomic clone is shown in FIG. 2a. The sequence contains an open reading frame corresponding to the predicted C-terminal region of the GDF-8 precursor protein. The predicted GDF-8 sequence contains two potential proteolytic processing sites, which are boxed. Cleavage of the precursor at the second of these sites would generate a mature C-terminal fragment 109 amino acids in length with a predicted molecular weight of 12,400. The partial sequence of human GDF-8 is shown in FIG. 2b. Assuming no PCR-induced errors during the isolation of the human clone, the human and mouse amino acid sequences in this region are 100% identical.

The C-terminal region of GDF-8 following the putative proteolytic processing site shows significant homology to the known members of the TGF-β superfamily (FIG. 3). FIG. 3 shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-8 with the corresponding regions of human GDF-1 (Lee, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:425014 4254, 1991), human BMP-2 and 4 (Wozney, et al., Science, 242:1528-1534, 1988), human Vgr-1 (Celeste, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:9843-9847, 1990), human OP-1 (Ozkaynak, et al., EMBO J., 9:2085-2093, 1990), human BMP-5 (Celeste, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:9843-9847, 1990), human BMP-3 (Wozney, et al., Science, 242:1528-1534,1988), human MIS (Cate, et al., Cell, 45:685-698,1986), human inhibin alpha, βA, and βB (Mason, et al., Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun., 135:957-964, 1986), human TGF-β1 (Derynck, et al., Nature, 316:701-705, 1985), humanTGF-β2 (deMartin, et al., EMBO J., 6:3673-3677, 1987), and human TGF-β3 (ten Dijke, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:4715-4719, 1988). The conserved cysteine residues are boxed. Dashes denote gaps introduced in order to maximize the alignment.

GDF-8 contains most of the residues that are highly conserved in other family members, including the seven cysteine residues with their characteristic spacing. Like the TGF-βs and inhibin βs, GDF-8 also contains two additional cysteine residues. In the case of TGF-β2, these two additional cysteine residues are known to form an intramolecular disulfide bond (Daopin, et al., Science, 257:369, 1992; Schlunegger and Grutter, Nature, 358:430, 1992).

FIG. 4 shows the amino acid homologies among the different members of the TGF-β superfamily. Numbers represent percent amino acid identities between each pair calculated from the first conserved cysteine to the C-terminus. Boxes represent homologies among highly-related members within particular subgroups. In this region, GDF-8 is most homologous to Vgr-1 (45% sequence identity).

EXAMPLE 3 Isolation of cDNA Clones Encoding Murine and Human GDF-8

In order to isolate full-length cDNA clones encoding murine and human GDF-8, cDNA libraries were prepared in the lambda ZAP II vector (Stratagene) using RNA prepared from skeletal muscle. From 5 μg of twice poly A-selected RNA prepared from murine and human muscle, cDNA libraries consisting of 4.4 million and 1.9 million recombinant phage, respectively, were constructed according to the instructions provided by Stratagene. These libraries were screened without amplification. Library screening and characterization of cDNA inserts were carried out as described previously (Lee, Mol. Endocrinol, 4:1034-1040).

From 2.4×10⁶ recombinant phage screened from the murine muscle cDNA library, greater than 280 positive phage were identified using a murine GDF-8 probe derived from a genomic clone, as described in Example 1. The entire nucleotide sequence of the longest cDNA insert analyzed is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b and SEQ ID NO:11. The 2676 base pair sequence contains a single long open reading frame beginning with a methionine codon at nucleotide 104 and extending to a TGA stop codon at nucleotide 1232. Upstream of the putative initiating methionine codon is an in-frame stop codon at nucleotide 23. The predicted pre-pro-GDF-8 protein is 376 amino acids in length. The sequence contains a core of hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus suggestive of a signal peptide for secretion (FIG. 6a), one potential N-glycosylation site at asparagine 72, a putative RXXR (SEQ ID NO: 32) proteolytic cleavage site at amino acids 264-267, and a C-terminal region showing significant homology to the known members of the TGF-β superfamily. Cleavage of the precursor protein at the putative RXXR site would generate a mature C-terminal GDF-8 fragment 109 amino acids in length with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 12,400.

From 1.9×10⁶ recombinant phage screened from the human muscle cDNA library, 4 positive phage were identified using a human GDF-8 probe derived by polymerase chain reaction on human genomic DNA. The entire nucleotide sequence of the longest cDNA insert is shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d and SEQ ID NO:13. The 2743 base pair sequence contains a single long open reading frame beginning with a methionine codon at nucleotide 59 and extending to a TGA stop codon at nucleotide 1184. The predicted pre-pro-GDF-8 protein is 375 amino acids in length. The sequence contains a core of hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus suggestive of a signal peptide for secretion

(FIG. 6b), one potential N-glycosylation site at asparagine 71, and a putative RXXR (SEQ ID NO: 32) proteolytic cleavage site at amino acids 263-266. FIG. 7 shows a comparison of the predicted murine (top) and human (bottom) GDF-8 amino acid sequences. Numbers indicate amino acid position relative to the N-terminus. Identities between the two sequences are denoted by a vertical line. Murine and human GDF-8 are approximately 94% identical in the predicted pro-regions and 100% identical following the predicted RXXR (SEQ ID NO: 32) cleavage sites.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Antibodies Against GDF-8 and Expression of GDF-8 in Mammalian Cells

In order to prepare antibodies against GDF-8, GDF-8 antigen was expressed as a fusion protein in bacteria. A portion of murine GDF-8 cDNA spanning amino acids 268-376 (mature region) was inserted into the pRSET vector (Invitrogen) such that the GDF-8 coding sequence was placed in frame with the initiating methionine codon present in the vector; the resulting construct created an open reading frame encoding a fusion protein with a molecular weight of approximately 16,600. The fusion construct was transformed into BL21 (DE3) (pLysS) cells, and expression of the fusion protein was induced by treatment with isopropylthio-β-galactoside as described (Rosenberg, et al., Gene, 56:125-135). The fusion protein was then purified by metal chelate chromatography according to the instructions provided by Invitrogen. A Coomassie blue-stained gel of unpurified and purified fusion proteins is shown in FIG. 8.

The purified fusion protein was used to immunize both rabbits and chickens. Immunization of rabbits was carried out by Spring Valley Labs (Sykesville, Md.), and immunization of chickens was carried out by HRP, Inc. (Denver, Pa.). Western analysis of sera both from immunized rabbits and from immunized chickens demonstrated the presence of antibodies directed against the fusion protein.

To express GDF-8 in mammalian cells, the murine GDF-8 cDNA sequence from nucleotides 48-1303 was cloned in both orientations downstream of the metallothionein I promoter in the pMSXND expression vector; this vector contains processing signals derived from SV40, a dihydrofolate reductase gene, and a gene conferring resistance to the antibiotic G418 (Lee and Nathans, J. Biol. Chem., 263:3521-3527). The resulting constructs were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells, and stable tranfectants were selected in the presence of G418. Two milliliters of conditioned media prepared from the G41 8-resistant cells were dialyzed, lyophilized, electrophoresed under denaturing, reducing conditions, transferred to nitrocellulose, and incubated with anti-GDF-8 antibodies (described above) and [¹²⁵ I]iodoproteinA.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rabbit GDF-8 antibodies (at a 1:500 dilution) detected a protein of approximately the predicted molecular weight for the mature C-terminal fragment of GDF-8 in the conditioned media of cells transfected with a construct in which GDF-8 had been cloned in the correct (sense) orientation with respect to the metallothionein promoter (lane 2); this band was not detected in a similar sample prepared from cells transfected with a control antisense construct (lane 1). Similar results were obtained using antibodies prepared in chickens. Hence, GDF-8 is secreted and proteolytically processed by these transfected mammalian cells.

EXAMPLE 5 Expression Pattern of GDF-8

To determine the pattern of GDF-8, 5 μg of twice poly A-selected RNA prepared from a variety of murine tissue sources were subjected to Northern analysis. As shown in FIG. 10a (and as shown previously in Example 2), the GDF-8 probe detected a single mRNA species present almost exclusively in skeletal muscle among a large number of adult tissues surveyed. On longer exposures of the same blot, significantly lower but detectable levels of GDF-8 mRNA were seen in fat, brain, thymus, heart, and lung. Hence, these results confirm the high degree of specificity of GDF-8 expression in skeletal muscle. GDF-8 mRNA was also detected in mouse embryos at both gestational ages (day 12.5 and day 18.5 post-coital) examined but not in placentas at various stages of development (FIG. 10b).

EXAMPLE 6 Chromosomal Localization of GDF-8

In order to map the chromosomal location of GDF-8, DNA samples from human/rodent somatic cell hybrids (Drwinga, et al., Genomics, 16:311-413, 1993; Dubois and Naylor, Genomics, 16:315-319, 1993) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blotting. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out using primer #83, 5'-CGCGGATCCGTGGATCTAAATGAGAACAGTGAGC-3' (SEQ ID NO:15) and primer #84, 5'-CGCGAATTCTCAGGTAATGATTGTTTCCGTTGTAGCG-3' (SEQ ID NO:16) for 40 cycles at 94° C. for 2 minutes, 60° C. for 1 minute, and 72° C. for 2 minutes. These primers correspond to nucleotides 119 to 143 (flanked by a Bam H1 recognition sequence), and nucleotides 394 to 418 (flanked by an Eco R1 recognition sequence), respectively, in the human GDF-8 cDNA sequence. PCR products were electrophoresed on agarose gels, blotted, and probed with oligonucleotide #100, 5'-ACACTAAATCTTCAAGAATA-3' (SEQ ID NO:17), which corresponds to a sequence internal to the region flanked by primer #83 and #84. Filters were hybridized in 6×SSC, 1×Denhardt's solution, 100 g/ml yeast transfer RNA, and 0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 50° C.

As shown in FIG. 11, the human-specific probe detected a band of the predicted size (approximately 320 base pairs) in the positive control sample (total human genomic DNA) and in a single DNA sample from the human/rodent hybrid panel. This positive signal corresponds to human chromosome 2. The human chromosome contained in each of the hybrid cell lines is identified at the top of each of the first 24 lanes (1-22, X, and Y). In the lanes designated M, CHO, and H, the starting DNA template was total genomic DNA from mouse, hamster, and human sources, respectively. In the lane marked B1, no template DNA was used. Numbers at left indicate the mobilities of DNA standards. These data show that the human GDF-8 gene is located on chromosome 2.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the presently preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.

SUMMARY OF SEQUENCES

SEQ ID NO: 1 is the nucleic acid sequence for clone SJL141.

SEQ ID NO: 2 is the nucleic acid sequence for clone SJL147.

SEQ ID NO: 3 is the nucleic acid sequence for clone ACM13.

SEQ ID NO: 4 is the nucleic acid sequence for clone ACM14.

SEQ ID NO: 5 is the partial nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence for murine GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 6 is the deduced partial amino acid sequence for murine GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 7 is the partial nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence for human GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 8 is the deduced partial amino acid sequence for human GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 9 is the amino acid sequence for primer SJL141.

SEQ ID NO: 10 is the amino acid sequence for primer SJL147.

SEQ ID NO: 11 is the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence for murine GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 12 is the deduced amino acid sequence for murine GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 13 is the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence for human GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO: 14 is the deduced amino acid sequence for human GDF-8.

SEQ ID NO's: 15 and 16 are nucleotide sequences for primer #83 and #84, respectively, which were used to map human GDF-8 in human/rodent somatic cell hybrids.

SEQ ID NO: 17 is the nucleotide sequence of oligonucleotide #100 which corresponds to a sequence internal to the region flanked by primer #83 and #84.

    __________________________________________________________________________     #             SEQUENCE LISTING                                                   - -  - - (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:                                              - -    (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 32                                           - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 35 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: SJL141                                                     - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Modified - #Base                                                 (B) LOCATION: 1...35                                                           (D) OTHER INFORMATION: - #/note= "N=inosine"                          - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:                                - - CCGGAATTCG GNTGGVANRA YTGGRTNRTN KCNCC       - #                  -      #       35                                                                       - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 33 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: SJL147                                                     - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1...33                                                           (C) OTHER INFORMATION: - #/note= "N-inosine"                          - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:                                - - CCGGAATTCR CANSCRCARC TNTCNACNRY CAT       - #                  - #              33                                                                       - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 32 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: ACM13                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1...32                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:                                - - CGCGGATCCA GAAGTCAAGG TGACAGACAC AC       - #                  - #               32                                                                       - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 33 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: ACM14                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1...33                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:                                - - CGCGGATCCT CCTCATGAGC ACCCACAGCG GTC       - #                  - #              33                                                                       - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 550 base - #pairs                                                  (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: mouse GDF-8                                                - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 59...436                                                - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:                                - - TTAAGGTAGG AAGGATTTCA GGCTCTATTT ACATAATTGT TCTTTCCTTT TC - #ACACAG            58                                                                         - - AAT CCC TTT TTA GAA GTC AAG GTG ACA GAC AC - #A CCC AAG AGG TCC CGG           106                                                                        Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp Th - #r Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg              1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15               - - AGA GAC TTT GGG CTT GAC TGC GAT GAG CAC TC - #C ACG GAA TCC CGG TGC           154                                                                        Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Se - #r Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys                         20     - #             25     - #             30                   - - TGC CGC TAC CCC CTC ACG GTC GAT TTT GAA GC - #C TTT GGA TGG GAC TGG           202                                                                        Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Al - #a Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp                     35         - #         40         - #         45                       - - ATT ATC GCA CCC AAA AGA TAT AAG GCC AAT TA - #C TGC TCA GGA GAG TGT           250                                                                        Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Ty - #r Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys                 50             - #     55             - #     60                           - - GAA TTT GTG TTT TTA CAA AAA TAT CCG CAT AC - #T CAT CTT GTG CAC CAA           298                                                                        Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Th - #r His Leu Val His Gln             65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80        - - GCA AAC CCC AGA GGC TCA GCA GGC CCT TGC TG - #C ACT CCG ACA AAA ATG           346                                                                        Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cy - #s Thr Pro Thr Lys Met                             85 - #                 90 - #                 95               - - TCT CCC ATT AAT ATG CTA TAT TTT AAT GGC AA - #A GAA CAA ATA ATA TAT           394                                                                        Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Ly - #s Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr                        100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - GGG AAA ATT CCA GCC ATG GTA GTA GAC CGC TG - #T GGG TGC TCA              TGAGCTTTGC   446                                                                 Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cy - #s Gly Cys Ser                            115          - #       120          - #       125                       - - ATTAGGTTAG AAACTTCCCA AGTCATGGAA GGTCTTCCCC TCAATTTCGA AA -             #CTGTGAAT    506                                                                  - - TCCTGCAGCC CGGGGGATCC ACTAGTTCTA GAGCGGCCGC CACC   - #                       - #550                                                                      - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 126 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -      (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal                                           - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:                                - - Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp Th - #r Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Se - #r Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Al - #a Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Ty - #r Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Th - #r His Leu Val His Gln       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cy - #s Thr Pro Thr Lys Met                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Ly - #s Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cy - #s Gly Cys Ser                       115          - #       120          - #       125                       - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 326 base - #pairs                                                  (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: human GDF-8                                                - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 3...326                                                 - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:                                - - CA AAA AGA TCC AGA AGG GAT TTT GGT CTT GAC - # TGT GAT GAG CAC TCA             47                                                                           Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu - #Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser                   1             - #  5                - #  10                - #  15         - - ACA GAA TCA CGA TGC TGT CGT TAC CCT CTA AC - #T GTG GAT TTT GAA GCT            95                                                                        Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Th - #r Val Asp Phe Glu Ala                             20 - #                 25 - #                 30               - - TTT GGA TGG GAT TGG ATT ATC GCT CCT AAA AG - #A TAT AAG GCC AAT TAC           143                                                                        Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Ar - #g Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr                         35     - #             40     - #             45                   - - TGC TCT GGA GAG TGT GAA TTT GTA TTT TTA CA - #A AAA TAT CCT CAT ACT           191                                                                        Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gl - #n Lys Tyr Pro His Thr                     50         - #         55         - #         60                       - - CAT CTG GTA CAC CAA GCA AAC CCC AGA GGT TC - #A GCA GGC CCT TGC TGT           239                                                                        His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Se - #r Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys                 65             - #     70             - #     75                           - - ACT CCC ACA AAG ATG TCT CCA ATT AAT ATG CT - #A TAT TTT AAT GGC AAA           287                                                                        Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Le - #u Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys             80                 - # 85                 - # 90                 - # 95        - - GAA CAA ATA ATA TAT GGG AAA ATT CCA GCG AT - #G GTA GTA                   - #    326                                                                     Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Me - #t Val Val                                        100  - #               105                                      - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 108 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -      (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal                                           - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8:                                - - Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cy - #s Asp Glu His Ser Thr        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Va - #l Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Ty - #r Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Ly - #s Tyr Pro His Thr His           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Al - #a Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Ty - #r Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Va - #l Val                                   100      - #           105                                          - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9:                                      - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 9 amino - #acids                                                   (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: SJL141                                                     - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Peptide                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1...9                                                            (D) OTHER INFORMATION: - #/note= "Xaa at position 3=His, Gln,                       Asn, Lys, - # Asp or Glu; Xaa at position 4=Asp or Asn -       #; Xaa                                                                                          at positi - #ons 6 and 7=Val, Ile or Met; Ala = Xaa - #       at                                                                                              position - #8=Ala or Ser"                                        - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9:                                - - Gly Trp Xaa Xaa Trp Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro                                         1               5                                                             - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 8 amino - #acids                                                   (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: SJL147                                                     - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Peptide                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1...8                                                            (D) OTHER INFORMATION: - #/note= "Xaa at position 2=Ile, Val,                      Met, Thr - #or Ala; Xaa at position 4=Asp or Glu; Xaa -        #at                                                                                             position - #7=Gly or Ala"                                        - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10:                               - - Met Xaa Val Xaa Ser Cys Xaa Cys                                             1               5                                                             - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 2676 base - #pairs                                                 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: Murine GDF-8                                               - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 104...1231                                              - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11:                               - - GTCTCTCGGA CGGTACATGC ACTAATATTT CACTTGGCAT TACTCAAAAG CA -             #AAAAGAAG     60                                                                  - - AAATAAGAAC AAGGGAAAAA AAAAGATTGT GCTGATTTTT AAA ATG AT - #G CAA         AAA      115                                                                                       - #                  - #            Met Met Gln Ly -       #s                                                                                                 - #                  - #              1                       - - CTG CAA ATG TAT GTT TAT ATT TAC CTG TTC AT - #G CTG ATT GCT GCT         GGC      163                                                                     Leu Gln Met Tyr Val Tyr Ile Tyr Leu Phe Me - #t Leu Ile Ala Ala Gly             5                - #  10                - #  15                - #  20        - - CCA GTG GAT CTA AAT GAG GGC AGT GAG AGA GA - #A GAA AAT GTG GAA AAA           211                                                                        Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Gly Ser Glu Arg Gl - #u Glu Asn Val Glu Lys                             25 - #                 30 - #                 35               - - GAG GGG CTG TGT AAT GCA TGT GCG TGG AGA CA - #A AAC ACG AGG TAC TCC           259                                                                        Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Ala Trp Arg Gl - #n Asn Thr Arg Tyr Ser                         40     - #             45     - #             50                   - - AGA ATA GAA GCC ATA AAA ATT CAA ATC CTC AG - #T AAG CTG CGC CTG GAA           307                                                                        Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gln Ile Leu Se - #r Lys Leu Arg Leu Glu                     55         - #         60         - #         65                       - - ACA GCT CCT AAC ATC AGC AAA GAT GCT ATA AG - #A CAA CTT CTG CCA AGA           355                                                                        Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys Asp Ala Ile Ar - #g Gln Leu Leu Pro Arg                 70             - #     75             - #     80                           - - GCG CCT CCA CTC CGG GAA CTG ATC GAT CAG TA - #C GAC GTC CAG AGG GAT           403                                                                        Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Ile Asp Gln Ty - #r Asp Val Gln Arg Asp             85                 - # 90                 - # 95                 - #100        - - GAC AGC AGT GAT GGC TCT TTG GAA GAT GAC GA - #T TAT CAC GCT ACC ACG           451                                                                        Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Glu Asp Asp As - #p Tyr His Ala Thr Thr                            105  - #               110  - #               115               - - GAA ACA ATC ATT ACC ATG CCT ACA GAG TCT GA - #C TTT CTA ATG CAA GCG           499                                                                        Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Thr Glu Ser As - #p Phe Leu Met Gln Ala                        120      - #           125      - #           130                   - - GAT GGC AAG CCC AAA TGT TGC TTT TTT AAA TT - #T AGC TCT AAA ATA CAG           547                                                                        Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Ph - #e Ser Ser Lys Ile Gln                    135          - #       140          - #       145                       - - TAC AAC AAA GTA GTA AAA GCC CAA CTG TGG AT - #A TAT CTC AGA CCC GTC           595                                                                        Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Il - #e Tyr Leu Arg Pro Val                150              - #   155              - #   160                           - - AAG ACT CCT ACA ACA GTG TTT GTG CAA ATC CT - #G AGA CTC ATC AAA CCC           643                                                                        Lys Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Le - #u Arg Leu Ile Lys Pro            165                 1 - #70                 1 - #75                 1 -       #80                                                                               - - ATG AAA GAC GGT ACA AGG TAT ACT GGA ATC CG - #A TCT CTG AAA CTT         GAC      691                                                                     Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Ar - #g Ser Leu Lys Leu Asp                           185  - #               190  - #               195               - - ATG AGC CCA GGC ACT GGT ATT TGG CAG AGT AT - #T GAT GTG AAG ACA GTG           739                                                                        Met Ser Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Il - #e Asp Val Lys Thr Val                        200      - #           205      - #           210                   - - TTG CAA AAT TGG CTC AAA CAG CCT GAA TCC AA - #C TTA GGC ATT GAA ATC           787                                                                        Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser As - #n Leu Gly Ile Glu Ile                    215          - #       220          - #       225                       - - AAA GCT TTG GAT GAG AAT GGC CAT GAT CTT GC - #T GTA ACC TTC CCA GGA           835                                                                        Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly His Asp Leu Al - #a Val Thr Phe Pro Gly                230              - #   235              - #   240                           - - CCA GGA GAA GAT GGG CTG AAT CCC TTT TTA GA - #A GTC AAG GTG ACA GAC           883                                                                        Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Gl - #u Val Lys Val Thr Asp            245                 2 - #50                 2 - #55                 2 -       #60                                                                               - - ACA CCC AAG AGG TCC CGG AGA GAC TTT GGG CT - #T GAC TGC GAT GAG         CAC      931                                                                     Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Le - #u Asp Cys Asp Glu His                           265  - #               270  - #               275               - - TCC ACG GAA TCC CGG TGC TGC CGC TAC CCC CT - #C ACG GTC GAT TTT GAA           979                                                                        Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Le - #u Thr Val Asp Phe Glu                        280      - #           285      - #           290                   - - GCC TTT GGA TGG GAC TGG ATT ATC GCA CCC AA - #A AGA TAT AAG GCC AAT          1027                                                                        Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Ly - #s Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn                    295          - #       300          - #       305                       - - TAC TGC TCA GGA GAG TGT GAA TTT GTG TTT TT - #A CAA AAA TAT CCG CAT          1075                                                                        Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Le - #u Gln Lys Tyr Pro His                310              - #   315              - #   320                           - - ACT CAT CTT GTG CAC CAA GCA AAC CCC AGA GG - #C TCA GCA GGC CCT TGC          1123                                                                        Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gl - #y Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys            325                 3 - #30                 3 - #35                 3 -       #40                                                                               - - TGC ACT CCG ACA AAA ATG TCT CCC ATT AAT AT - #G CTA TAT TTT AAT         GGC     1171                                                                     Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Me - #t Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly                           345  - #               350  - #               355               - - AAA GAA CAA ATA ATA TAT GGG AAA ATT CCA GC - #C ATG GTA GTA GAC CGC          1219                                                                        Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Al - #a Met Val Val Asp Arg                        360      - #           365      - #           370                   - - TGT GGG TGC TCA TGAGCTTTGC ATTAGGTTAG AAACTTCCCA AG - #TCATGGAA          GGTCT   1276                                                                     Cys Gly Cys Ser                                                                        375                                                                     - - TCCCCTCAAT TTCGAAACTG TGAATTCAAG CACCACAGGC TGTAGGCCTT GA -             #GTATGCTC   1336                                                                  - - TAGTAACGTA AGCACAAGCT ACAGTGTATG AACTAAAAGA GAGAATAGAT GC -             #AATGGTTG   1396                                                                  - - GCATTCAACC ACCAAAATAA ACCATACTAT AGGATGTTGT ATGATTTCCA GA -             #GTTTTTGA   1456                                                                  - - AATAGATGGA GATCAAATTA CATTTATGTC CATATATGTA TATTACAACT AC -             #AATCTAGG   1516                                                                  - - CAAGGAAGTG AGAGCACATC TTGTGGTCTG CTGAGTTAGG AGGGTATGAT TA -             #AAAGGTAA   1576                                                                  - - AGTCTTATTT CCTAACAGTT TCACTTAATA TTTACAGAAG AATCTATATG TA -             #GCCTTTGT   1636                                                                  - - AAAGTGTAGG ATTGTTATCA TTTAAAAACA TCATGTACAC TTATATTTGT AT -             #TGTATACT   1696                                                                  - - TGGTAAGATA AAATTCCACA AAGTAGGAAT GGGGCCTCAC ATACACATTG CC -             #ATTCCTAT   1756                                                                  - - TATAATTGGA CAATCCACCA CGGTGCTAAT GCAGTGCTGA ATGGCTCCTA CT -             #GGACCTCT   1816                                                                  - - CGATAGAACA CTCTACAAAG TACGAGTCTC TCTCTCCCTT CCAGGTGCAT CT -             #CCACACAC   1876                                                                  - - ACAGCACTAA GTGTTCAATG CATTTTCTTT AAGGAAAGAA GAATCTTTTT TT -             #CTAGAGGT   1936                                                                  - - CAACTTTCAG TCAACTCTAG CACAGCGGGA GTGACTGCTG CATCTTAAAA GG -             #CAGCCAAA   1996                                                                  - - CAGTATTCAT TTTTTAATCT AAATTTCAAA ATCACTGTCT GCCTTTATCA CA -             #TGGCAATT   2056                                                                  - - TTGTGGTAAA ATAATGGAAA TGACTGGTTC TATCAATATT GTATAAAAGA CT -             #CTGAAACA   2116                                                                  - - ATTACATTTA TATAATATGT ATACAATATT GTTTTGTAAA TAAGTGTCTC CT -             #TTTATATT   2176                                                                  - - TACTTTGGTA TATTTTTACA CTAATGAAAT TTCAAATCAT TAAAGTACAA AG -             #ACATGTCA   2236                                                                  - - TGTATCACAA AAAAGGTGAC TGCTTCTATT TCAGAGTGAA TTAGCAGATT CA -             #ATAGTGGT   2296                                                                  - - CTTAAAACTC TGTATGTTAA GATTAGAAGG TTATATTACA ATCAATTTAT GT -             #ATTTTTTA   2356                                                                  - - CATTATCAAC TTATGGTTTC ATGGTGGCTG TATCTATGAA TGTGGCTCCC AG -             #TCAAATTT   2416                                                                  - - CAATGCCCCA CCATTTTAAA AATTACAAGC ATTACTAAAC ATACCAACAT GT -             #ATCTAAAG   2476                                                                  - - AAATACAAAT ATGGTATCTC AATAACAGCT ACTTTTTTAT TTTATAATTT GA -             #CAATGAAT   2536                                                                  - - ACATTTCTTT TATTTACTTC AGTTTTATAA ATTGGAACTT TGTTTATCAA AT -             #GTATTGTA   2596                                                                  - - CTCATAGCTA AATGAAATTA TTTCTTACAT AAAAATGTGT AGAAACTATA AA -             #TTAAAGTG   2656                                                                  - - TTTTCACATT TTTGAAAGGC            - #                  - #                      267 - #6                                                                  - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 376 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -      (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal                                           - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12:                               - - Met Met Gln Lys Leu Gln Met Tyr Val Tyr Il - #e Tyr Leu Phe Met Leu         1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15               - - Ile Ala Ala Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Gl - #y Ser Glu Arg Glu Glu                    20     - #             25     - #             30                   - - Asn Val Glu Lys Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cy - #s Ala Trp Arg Gln Asn                35         - #         40         - #         45                       - - Thr Arg Tyr Ser Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Il - #e Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys            50             - #     55             - #     60                           - - Leu Arg Leu Glu Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Ly - #s Asp Ala Ile Arg Gln        65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80        - - Leu Leu Pro Arg Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Le - #u Ile Asp Gln Tyr Asp                        85 - #                 90 - #                 95               - - Val Gln Arg Asp Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Le - #u Glu Asp Asp Asp Tyr                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - His Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pr - #o Thr Glu Ser Asp Phe               115          - #       120          - #       125                       - - Leu Met Gln Ala Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cy - #s Phe Phe Lys Phe Ser           130              - #   135              - #   140                           - - Ser Lys Ile Gln Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Al - #a Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr       145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -       #60                                                                               - - Leu Arg Pro Val Lys Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Ph - #e Val Gln Ile Leu         Arg                                                                                              165  - #               170  - #               175              - - Leu Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Ty - #r Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser                   180      - #           185      - #           190                   - - Leu Lys Leu Asp Met Ser Pro Gly Thr Gly Il - #e Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp               195          - #       200          - #       205                       - - Val Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gl - #n Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu           210              - #   215              - #   220                           - - Gly Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gl - #y His Asp Leu Ala Val       225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -       #40                                                                               - - Thr Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu As - #n Pro Phe Leu Glu         Val                                                                                              245  - #               250  - #               255              - - Lys Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Ar - #g Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp                   260      - #           265      - #           270                   - - Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cy - #s Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr               275          - #       280          - #       285                       - - Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Il - #e Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg           290              - #   295              - #   300                           - - Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Gl - #u Phe Val Phe Leu Gln       305                 3 - #10                 3 - #15                 3 -       #20                                                                               - - Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln Al - #a Asn Pro Arg Gly         Ser                                                                                              325  - #               330  - #               335              - - Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Se - #r Pro Ile Asn Met Leu                   340      - #           345      - #           350                   - - Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gl - #y Lys Ile Pro Ala Met               355          - #       360          - #       365                       - - Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser                                               370              - #   375                                                  - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 2743 base - #pairs                                                 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: Human GDF-8                                                - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 59...1183                                               - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13:                               - - AAGAAAAGTA AAAGGAAGAA ACAAGAACAA GAAAAAAGAT TATATTGATT TT - #AAAATC            58                                                                         - - ATG CAA AAA CTG CAA CTC TGT GTT TAT ATT TA - #C CTG TTT ATG CTG ATT           106                                                                        Met Gln Lys Leu Gln Leu Cys Val Tyr Ile Ty - #r Leu Phe Met Leu Ile              1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15               - - GTT GCT GGT CCA GTG GAT CTA AAT GAG AAC AG - #T GAG CAA AAA GAA AAT           154                                                                        Val Ala Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Asn Se - #r Glu Gln Lys Glu Asn                         20     - #             25     - #             30                   - - GTG GAA AAA GAG GGG CTG TGT AAT GCA TGT AC - #T TGG AGA CAA AAC ACT           202                                                                        Val Glu Lys Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Th - #r Trp Arg Gln Asn Thr                     35         - #         40         - #         45                       - - AAA TCT TCA AGA ATA GAA GCC ATT AAG ATA CA - #A ATC CTC AGT AAA CTT           250                                                                        Lys Ser Ser Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gl - #n Ile Leu Ser Lys Leu                 50             - #     55             - #     60                           - - CGT CTG GAA ACA GCT CCT AAC ATC AGC AAA GA - #T GTT ATA AGA CAA CTT           298                                                                        Arg Leu Glu Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys As - #p Val Ile Arg Gln Leu             65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80        - - TTA CCC AAA GCT CCT CCA CTC CGG GAA CTG AT - #T GAT CAG TAT GAT GTC           346                                                                        Leu Pro Lys Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Il - #e Asp Gln Tyr Asp Val                             85 - #                 90 - #                 95               - - CAG AGG GAT GAC AGC AGC GAT GGC TCT TTG GA - #A GAT GAC GAT TAT CAC           394                                                                        Gln Arg Asp Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Gl - #u Asp Asp Asp Tyr His                        100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - GCT ACA ACG GAA ACA ATC ATT ACC ATG CCT AC - #A GAG TCT GAT TTT CTA           442                                                                        Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Th - #r Glu Ser Asp Phe Leu                    115          - #       120          - #       125                       - - ATG CAA GTG GAT GGA AAA CCC AAA TGT TGC TT - #C TTT AAA TTT AGC TCT           490                                                                        Met Gln Val Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Ph - #e Phe Lys Phe Ser Ser                130              - #   135              - #   140                           - - AAA ATA CAA TAC AAT AAA GTA GTA AAG GCC CA - #A CTA TGG ATA TAT TTG           538                                                                        Lys Ile Gln Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gl - #n Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu            145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -       #60                                                                               - - AGA CCC GTC GAG ACT CCT ACA ACA GTG TTT GT - #G CAA ATC CTG AGA         CTC      586                                                                     Arg Pro Val Glu Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Va - #l Gln Ile Leu Arg Leu                           165  - #               170  - #               175               - - ATC AAA CCT ATG AAA GAC GGT ACA AGG TAT AC - #T GGA ATC CGA TCT CTG           634                                                                        Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Th - #r Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu                        180      - #           185      - #           190                   - - AAA CTT GAC ATG AAC CCA GGC ACT GGT ATT TG - #G CAG AGC ATT GAT GTG           682                                                                        Lys Leu Asp Met Asn Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Tr - #p Gln Ser Ile Asp Val                    195          - #       200          - #       205                       - - AAG ACA GTG TTG CAA AAT TGG CTC AAA CAA CC - #T GAA TCC AAC TTA GGC           730                                                                        Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pr - #o Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly                210              - #   215              - #   220                           - - ATT GAA ATA AAA GCT TTA GAT GAG AAT GGT CA - #T GAT CTT GCT GTA ACC           778                                                                        Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly Hi - #s Asp Leu Ala Val Thr            225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -       #40                                                                               - - TTC CCA GGA CCA GGA GAA GAT GGG CTG AAT CC - #G TTT TTA GAG GTC         AAG      826                                                                     Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pr - #o Phe Leu Glu Val Lys                           245  - #               250  - #               255               - - GTA ACA GAC ACA CCA AAA AGA TCC AGA AGG GA - #T TTT GGT CTT GAC TGT           874                                                                        Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg As - #p Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys                        260      - #           265      - #           270                   - - GAT GAG CAC TCA ACA GAA TCA CGA TGC TGT CG - #T TAC CCT CTA ACT GTG           922                                                                        Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Ar - #g Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val                    275          - #       280          - #       285                       - - GAT TTT GAA GCT TTT GGA TGG GAT TGG ATT AT - #C GCT CCT AAA AGA TAT           970                                                                        Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Il - #e Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr                290              - #   295              - #   300                           - - AAG GCC AAT TAC TGC TCT GGA GAG TGT GAA TT - #T GTA TTT TTA CAA AAA          1018                                                                        Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Ph - #e Val Phe Leu Gln Lys            305                 3 - #10                 3 - #15                 3 -       #20                                                                               - - TAT CCT CAT ACT CAT CTG GTA CAC CAA GCA AA - #C CCC AGA GGT TCA         GCA     1066                                                                     Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala As - #n Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala                           325  - #               330  - #               335               - - GGC CCT TGC TGT ACT CCC ACA AAG ATG TCT CC - #A ATT AAT ATG CTA TAT          1114                                                                        Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pr - #o Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr                        340      - #           345      - #           350                   - - TTT AAT GGC AAA GAA CAA ATA ATA TAT GGG AA - #A ATT CCA GCG ATG GTA          1162                                                                        Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Ly - #s Ile Pro Ala Met Val                    355          - #       360          - #       365                       - - GTA GAC CGC TGT GGG TGC TCA TGAGATTTAT ATTAAGCGT - #T CATAACTTCC         TAAAAC 1219                                                                      Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser                                                        370              - #   375                                                  - - ATGGAAGGTT TTCCCCTCAA CAATTTTGAA GCTGTGAAAT TAAGTACCAC AG -             #GCTATAGG   1279                                                                  - - CCTAGAGTAT GCTACAGTCA CTTAAGCATA AGCTACAGTA TGTAAACTAA AA -             #GGGGGAAT   1339                                                                  - - ATATGCAATG GTTGGCATTT AACCATCCAA ACAAATCATA CAAGAAAGTT TT -             #ATGATTTC   1399                                                                  - - CAGAGTTTTT GAGCTAGAAG GAGATCAAAT TACATTTATG TTCCTATATA TT -             #ACAACATC   1459                                                                  - - GGCGAGGAAA TGAAAGCGAT TCTCCTTGAG TTCTGATGAA TTAAAGGAGT AT -             #GCTTTAAA   1519                                                                  - - GTCTATTTCT TTAAAGTTTT GTTTAATATT TACAGAAAAA TCCACATACA GT -             #ATTGGTAA   1579                                                                  - - AATGCAGGAT TGTTATATAC CATCATTCGA ATCATCCTTA AACACTTGAA TT -             #TATATTGT   1639                                                                  - - ATGGTAGTAT ACTTGGTAAG ATAAAATTCC ACAAAAATAG GGATGGTGCA GC -             #ATATGCAA   1699                                                                  - - TTTCCATTCC TATTATAATT GACACAGTAC ATTAACAATC CATGCCAACG GT -             #GCTAATAC   1759                                                                  - - GATAGGCTGA ATGTCTGAGG CTACCAGGTT TATCACATAA AAAACATTCA GT -             #AAAATAGT   1819                                                                  - - AAGTTTCTCT TTTCTTCAGG TGCATTTTCC TACACCTCCA AATGAGGAAT GG -             #ATTTTCTT   1879                                                                  - - TAATGTAAGA AGAATCATTT TTCTAGAGGT TGGCTTTCAA TTCTGTAGCA TA -             #CTTGGAGA   1939                                                                  - - AACTGCATTA TCTTAAAAGG CAGTCAAATG GTGTTTGTTT TTATCAAAAT GT -             #CAAAATAA   1999                                                                  - - CATACTTGGA GAAGTATGTA ATTTTGTCTT TGGAAAATTA CAACACTGCC TT -             #TGCAACAC   2059                                                                  - - TGCAGTTTTT ATGGTAAAAT AATAGAAATG ATCGACTCTA TCAATATTGT AT -             #AAAAAGAC   2119                                                                  - - TGAAACAATG CATTTATATA ATATGTATAC AATATTGTTT TGTAAATAAG TG -             #TCTCCTTT   2179                                                                  - - TTTATTTACT TTGGTATATT TTTACACTAA GGACATTTCA AATTAAGTAC TA -             #AGGCACAA   2239                                                                  - - AGACATGTCA TGCATCACAG AAAAGCAACT ACTTATATTT CAGAGCAAAT TA -             #GCAGATTA   2299                                                                  - - AATAGTGGTC TTAAAACTCC ATATGTTAAT GATTAGATGG TTATATTACA AT -             #CATTTTAT   2359                                                                  - - ATTTTTTTAC ATGATTAACA TTCACTTATG GATTCATGAT GGCTGTATAA AG -             #TGAATTTG   2419                                                                  - - AAATTTCAAT GGTTTACTGT CATTGTGTTT AAATCTCAAC GTTCCATTAT TT -             #TAATACTT   2479                                                                  - - GCAAAAACAT TACTAAGTAT ACCAAAATAA TTGACTCTAT TATCTGAAAT GA -             #AGAATAAA   2539                                                                  - - CTGATGCTAT CTCAACAATA ACTGTTACTT TTATTTTATA ATTTGATAAT GA -             #ATATATTT   2599                                                                  - - CTGCATTTAT TTACTTCTGT TTTGTAAATT GGGATTTTGT TAATCAAATT TA -             #TTGTACTA   2659                                                                  - - TGACTAAATG AAATTATTTC TTACATCTAA TTTGTAGAAA CAGTATAAGT TA -             #TATTAAAG   2719                                                                  - - TGTTTTCACA TTTTTTTGAA AGAC          - #                  - #                   2743                                                                      - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 375 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -      (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal                                           - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14:                               - - Met Gln Lys Leu Gln Leu Cys Val Tyr Ile Ty - #r Leu Phe Met Leu Ile        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Val Ala Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Asn Se - #r Glu Gln Lys Glu Asn                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Val Glu Lys Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Th - #r Trp Arg Gln Asn Thr               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Lys Ser Ser Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gl - #n Ile Leu Ser Lys Leu           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Arg Leu Glu Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys As - #p Val Ile Arg Gln Leu       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Leu Pro Lys Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Il - #e Asp Gln Tyr Asp Val                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Gln Arg Asp Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Gl - #u Asp Asp Asp Tyr His                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Th - #r Glu Ser Asp Phe Leu               115          - #       120          - #       125                       - - Met Gln Val Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Ph - #e Phe Lys Phe Ser Ser           130              - #   135              - #   140                           - - Lys Ile Gln Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gl - #n Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu       145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -       #60                                                                               - - Arg Pro Val Glu Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Va - #l Gln Ile Leu Arg         Leu                                                                                              165  - #               170  - #               175              - - Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Th - #r Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu                   180      - #           185      - #           190                   - - Lys Leu Asp Met Asn Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Tr - #p Gln Ser Ile Asp Val               195          - #       200          - #       205                       - - Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pr - #o Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly           210              - #   215              - #   220                           - - Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly Hi - #s Asp Leu Ala Val Thr       225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -       #40                                                                               - - Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pr - #o Phe Leu Glu Val         Lys                                                                                              245  - #               250  - #               255              - - Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg As - #p Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys                   260      - #           265      - #           270                   - - Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Ar - #g Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val               275          - #       280          - #       285                       - - Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Il - #e Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr           290              - #   295              - #   300                           - - Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Ph - #e Val Phe Leu Gln Lys       305                 3 - #10                 3 - #15                 3 -       #20                                                                               - - Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala As - #n Pro Arg Gly Ser         Ala                                                                                              325  - #               330  - #               335              - - Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pr - #o Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr                   340      - #           345      - #           350                   - - Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Ly - #s Ile Pro Ala Met Val               355          - #       360          - #       365                       - - Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser                                                   370              - #   375                                                  - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 34 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: #83                                                        - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1..34                                                   - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15:                               - - CGCGGATCCG TGGATCTAAA TGAGAACAGT GAGC       - #                  -       #        34                                                                       - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 37 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: #84                                                        - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1..37                                                   - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16:                               - - CGCGAATTCT CAGGTAATGA TTGTTTCCGT TGTAGCG      - #                       - #      37                                                                      - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base - #pairs                                                   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                        - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: #100                                                       - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1..20                                                   - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17:                               - - ACACTAAATC TTCAAGAATA            - #                  - #                       - # 20                                                                    - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 123 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: GDF-1                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..123                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18:                               - - Arg Pro Arg Arg Asp Ala Glu Pro Val Leu Gl - #y Gly Gly Pro Gly Gly        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Ala Cys Arg Ala Arg Arg Leu Tyr Val Ser Ph - #e Arg Glu Val Gly Trp                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - His Arg Trp Val Ile Ala Pro Arg Gly Phe Le - #u Ala Asn Tyr Cys Gln               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Gln Cys Ala Leu Pro Val Ala Leu Ser Gl - #y Ser Gly Gly Pro Pro           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Ala Leu Asn His Ala Val Leu Arg Ala Leu Me - #t His Ala Ala Ala Pro       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Gly Ala Ala Asp Leu Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Al - #a Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Ser Val Leu Phe Phe Asp Asn Ser Asp Asn Va - #l Val Leu Arg Gln Tyr                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Glu Asp Met Val Val Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys Ar - #g                                   115          - #       120                                              - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 118 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: BMP-2                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..118                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:19:                               - - Arg Glu Lys Arg Gln Ala Lys His Lys Gln Ar - #g Lys Arg Leu Lys Ser         1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15               - - Ser Cys Lys Arg His Pro Leu Tyr Val Asp Ph - #e Ser Asp Val Gly Trp                    20     - #             25     - #             30                   - - Asn Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr Hi - #s Ala Phe Tyr Cys His                35         - #         40         - #         45                       - - Gly Glu Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Le - #u Asn Ser Thr Asn His            50             - #     55             - #     60                           - - Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val As - #n Ser Lys Ile Pro Lys        65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80        - - Ala Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Il - #e Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu                        85 - #                 90 - #                 95               - - Asp Glu Asn Glu Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Ty - #r Gln Asp Met Val Val                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Glu Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg                                                           115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:20:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 118 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: BMP-4                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..118                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:20:                               - - Lys Arg Ser Pro Lys His His Ser Gln Arg Al - #a Arg Lys Lys Asn Lys         1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15               - - Asn Cys Arg Arg His Ser Leu Tyr Val Asp Ph - #e Ser Asp Val Gly Trp                    20     - #             25     - #             30                   - - Asn Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gl - #n Ala Phe Tyr Cys His                35         - #         40         - #         45                       - - Gly Asp Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Le - #u Asn Ser Thr Asn His            50             - #     55             - #     60                           - - Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val As - #n Ser Ser Ile Pro Lys        65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80        - - Ala Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Il - #e Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu                        85 - #                 90 - #                 95               - - Asp Glu Tyr Asp Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Ty - #r Gln Glu Met Val Val                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Glu Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg                                                           115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 119 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: Vgr-1                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..119                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21:                               - - Ser Arg Gly Ser Gly Ser Ser Asp Tyr Asn Gl - #y Ser Glu Leu Lys Thr        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Ala Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Ph - #e Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Gln Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Gly Tyr Al - #a Ala Asn Tyr Cys Asp               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Me - #t Asn Ala Thr Asn His           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met As - #n Pro Glu Tyr Val Pro       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Lys Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Al - #a Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Phe Asp Asp Asn Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Ly - #s Tyr Arg Asn Met Val                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Val Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His                                                       115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:22:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 119 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: OP-1                                                       - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..119                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:22:                               - - Leu Arg Met Ala Asn Val Ala Glu Asn Ser Se - #r Ser Asp Gln Arg Gln        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Ala Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Ph - #e Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Gln Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Al - #a Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Glu               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Glu Cys Ala Phe Pro Leu Asn Ser Tyr Me - #t Asn Ala Thr Asn His           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Phe Ile As - #n Pro Glu Thr Val Pro       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Lys Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Gln Leu Asn Al - #a Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Phe Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Ly - #s Tyr Arg Asn Met Val                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Val Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His                                                       115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:23:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 119 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: BMP-5                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..119                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:23:                               - - Ser Arg Met Ser Ser Val Gly Asp Tyr Asn Th - #r Ser Glu Gln Lys Gln        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Ala Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Ph - #e Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Gln Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Al - #a Ala Phe Tyr Cys Asp               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Me - #t Asn Ala Thr Asn His           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Ph - #e Pro Asp His Val Pro       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Lys Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Al - #a Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Phe Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Ly - #s Tyr Arg Asn Met Val                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Val Arg Ser Cys Gly Cys His                                                       115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:24:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 120 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: BMP-3                                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..120                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:24:                               - - Glu Gln Thr Leu Lys Lys Ala Arg Arg Lys Gl - #n Trp Ile Glu Pro Arg        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Asn Cys Ala Arg Arg Tyr Leu Lys Val Asp Ph - #e Ala Asp Ile Gly Trp                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Ser Glu Trp Ile Ile Ser Pro Lys Ser Phe As - #p Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Ser               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Ala Cys Gln Phe Pro Met Pro Lys Ser Le - #u Lys Pro Ser Asn His           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Ala Thr Ile Gln Ser Ile Val Arg Ala Val Gl - #y Val Val Pro Gly Ile       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Pro Glu Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Glu Lys Met Se - #r Ser Leu Ser Ile Leu                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Phe Phe Asp Glu Asn Lys Asn Val Val Leu Ly - #s Val Tyr Pro Asn Met                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Thr Val Glu Ser Cys Ala Cys Arg                                                   115          - #       120                                              - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:25:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 116 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: MIS                                                        - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..116                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:25:                               - - Gly Pro Gly Arg Ala Gln Arg Ser Ala Gly Al - #a Thr Ala Ala Asp Gly        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Pro Cys Ala Leu Arg Glu Leu Ser Val Asp Le - #u Arg Ala Glu Arg Ser                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Val Leu Ile Pro Glu Thr Tyr Gln Ala Asn As - #n Cys Gln Gly Val Cys               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Trp Pro Gln Ser Asp Arg Asn Pro Arg Ty - #r Gly Asn His Val Val           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Leu Leu Leu Lys Met Gln Ala Arg Gly Ala Al - #a Leu Ala Arg Pro Pro       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Ala Tyr Ala Gly Lys Le - #u Leu Ile Ser Leu Ser                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Glu Glu Arg Ile Ser Ala His His Val Pro As - #n Met Val Ala Thr Glu                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Cys Gly Cys Arg                                                                   115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:26:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 122 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: Inhibin-alpha                                              - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..122                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:26:                               - - Ala Leu Arg Leu Leu Gln Arg Pro Pro Glu Gl - #u Pro Ala Ala His Ala        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Asn Cys His Arg Val Ala Leu Asn Ile Ser Ph - #e Gln Glu Leu Gly Trp                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Glu Arg Trp Ile Val Tyr Pro Pro Ser Phe Il - #e Phe His Tyr Cys His               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Gly Cys Gly Leu His Ile Pro Pro Asn Le - #u Ser Leu Pro Val Pro           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Gly Ala Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala Gln Pro Tyr Se - #r Leu Leu Pro Gly Ala       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Gln Pro Cys Cys Ala Ala Leu Pro Gly Thr Me - #t Arg Pro Leu His Val                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Arg Thr Thr Ser Asp Gly Gly Tyr Ser Phe Ly - #s Tyr Glu Thr Val Pro                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Asn Leu Leu Thr Gln His Cys Ala Cys Ile                                           115          - #       120                                              - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:27:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 122 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: Inhibin-beta-al - #pha                                     - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..122                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:27:                               - - His Arg Arg Arg Arg Arg Gly Leu Glu Cys As - #p Gly Lys Val Asn Ile        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Cys Cys Lys Lys Gln Phe Phe Val Ser Phe Ly - #s Asp Ile Gly Trp Asn                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Ser Gly Tyr His Al - #a Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Glu Cys Pro Ser His Ile Ala Gly Thr Ser Gl - #y Ser Ser Leu Ser Phe           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - His Ser Thr Val Ile Asn His Tyr Arg Met Ar - #g Gly His Ser Pro Phe       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Ala Asn Leu Lys Ser Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Ly - #s Leu Arg Pro Met Ser                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Met Leu Tyr Tyr Asp Asp Gly Gln Asn Ile Il - #e Lys Lys Asp Ile Gln                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Asn Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ser                                           115          - #       120                                              - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:28:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 121 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: Inhibin-beta-be - #ta                                      - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..121                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:28:                               - - His Arg Ile Arg Lys Arg Gly Leu Glu Cys As - #p Gly Arg Thr Asn Leu        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Cys Cys Arg Gln Gln Phe Phe Ile Asp Phe Ar - #g Leu Ile Gly Trp Asn                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Thr Gly Tyr Tyr Gl - #y Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Ser Cys Pro Ala Tyr Leu Ala Gly Val Pro Gl - #y Ser Ala Ser Ser Phe           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - His Thr Ala Val Val Asn Gln Tyr Arg Met Ar - #g Gly Leu Asn Pro Gly       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Thr Val Asn Ser Cys Cys Ile Pro Thr Lys Le - #u Ser Thr Met Ser Met                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Leu Tyr Phe Asp Asp Glu Tyr Asn Ile Val Ly - #s Arg Asp Val Pro Asn                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ala                                               115          - #       120                                              - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:29:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 115 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: TGF-beta-1                                                 - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..115                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:29:                               - - His Arg Arg Ala Leu Asp Thr Asn Tyr Cys Ph - #e Ser Ser Thr Glu Lys        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Asn Cys Cys Val Arg Gln Leu Tyr Ile Asp Ph - #e Arg Lys Asp Leu Gly                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Trp Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Hi - #s Ala Asn Phe Cys Leu               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Pro Cys Pro Tyr Ile Trp Ser Leu Asp Th - #r Gln Tyr Ser Lys Val           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Leu Ala Leu Tyr Asn Gln His Asn Pro Gly Al - #a Ser Ala Ala Pro Cys       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Cys Val Pro Gln Ala Leu Glu Pro Leu Pro Il - #e Val Tyr Tyr Val Gly                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Arg Lys Pro Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Me - #t Ile Val Arg Ser Cys                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Lys Cys Ser                                                                       115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:30:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 115 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: TGF-beta-2                                                 - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..115                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:30:                               - - Lys Lys Arg Ala Leu Asp Ala Ala Tyr Cys Ph - #e Arg Asn Val Gln Asp        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Asn Cys Cys Leu Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Ph - #e Lys Arg Asp Leu Gly                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Trp Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr As - #n Ala Asn Phe Cys Ala               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Ala Cys Pro Tyr Leu Trp Ser Ser Asp Th - #r Gln His Ser Arg Val           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Leu Ser Leu Tyr Asn Thr Ile Asn Pro Glu Al - #a Ser Ala Ser Pro Cys       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Cys Val Ser Gln Asp Leu Glu Pro Leu Thr Il - #e Leu Tyr Tyr Ile Gly                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Lys Thr Pro Lys Ile Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Me - #t Ile Val Lys Ser Cys                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Lys Cys Ser                                                                       115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:31:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 115 amino - #acids                                                 (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                            - -    (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                          (B) CLONE: TGF-beta-3                                                 - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Protein                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..115                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:31:                               - - Lys Lys Arg Ala Leu Asp Thr Asn Tyr Cys Ph - #e Arg Asn Leu Glu Glu        1               5  - #                10  - #                15                - - Asn Cys Cys Val Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Ph - #e Arg Gln Asp Leu Gly                   20      - #            25      - #            30                    - - Trp Lys Trp Val His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Ty - #r Ala Asn Phe Cys Ser               35          - #        40          - #        45                        - - Gly Pro Cys Pro Tyr Leu Arg Ser Ala Asp Th - #r Thr His Ser Thr Val           50              - #    55              - #    60                            - - Leu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Thr Leu Asn Pro Glu Al - #a Ser Ala Ser Pro Cys       65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80         - - Cys Val Pro Gln Asp Leu Glu Pro Leu Thr Il - #e Leu Tyr Tyr Val Gly                       85  - #                90  - #                95                - - Arg Thr Pro Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Me - #t Val Val Lys Ser Cys                   100      - #           105      - #           110                   - - Leu Cys Ser                                                                       115                                                                     - -  - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:32:                                     - -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 4 amino - #acids                                                   (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                  - -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide                                            - -     (ix) FEATURE:                                                                   (A) NAME/KEY: Peptide                                                          (B) LOCATION: 1..118                                                           (D) OTHER INFORMATION: - #/note= "Xaa at positions 2 and 3 is       any                                                                                             amino aci - #d"                                                  - -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:32:                               - - Arg Xaa Xaa Arg                                                         __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. An antibody specifically reactive with growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) polypeptide or an epitope thereof, said GDF-8 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ ID NO:
 14. 2. The antibody of claim 1, which is a polyclonal antibody.
 3. The antibody of claim 1, which is a monoclonal antibody.
 4. An antibody of claim 1, wherein said GDF-8 polypeptide epitope comprises amino acids 268-376 of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12, or amino acids 268-375 of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 14. 5. A method of detecting growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) in a sample, comprising:contacting the sample with an antibody specifically reactive with a GDF-8 polypeptide or an epitope thereof, said GDF-8 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ ID NO: 14; and detecting binding of the antibody to GDF-8, thereby detecting GDF-8 in the sample.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the sample comprises a muscle cell.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the detecting is in vivo.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the antibody comprises a detectable label.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound and a chemiluminescent compound.
 10. The method of claim 5, wherein the detecting is in vitro.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the antibody comprises a detectable label.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound and a chemiluminescent compound.
 13. The method of claim 5, wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a biological fluid and a tissue.
 14. The method of claim 5, further comprising quantifying an amount of GDF-8 in the sample. 